Conflict hiccup in community grants

There was an interesting dilemma at the May council meeting when councillors considered Round 1 of the 2022 community grants program.

Four councillors – Whelan, Bauer, Kent and Tessari declared a Conflict of Interest, due to their involvement in community groups which had applied for grants.

With two councillors absent (Crs Clare Le Serve and Les Larke), that left the meeting without a quorum – with just three councillors eligible to vote.

Instead of delaying the vote to the next meeting, the item was withdrawn, and it was ruled the grants would be awarded by CEO Ali Wastie, with the Mayor, Cr Whelan noting the amount was well within the CEO’s financial delegation limit.

The 41 grant applications received this round were assessed by council officers who then put recommendations to the councillors to accept.

“All Councillors have seen the list of grants and the officers’ recommendations,” Ms Wastie said. “This is normal practice and it also allows them to consider whether they have a conflict or not.”

Ms Wastie said as four councillors had identified a conflict it was more expedient for the CEO to approve under her delegation rather than defer the decision to the June meeting.

“We want the community groups to receive their funding as soon as possible so they can commence their projects,” Ms Wastie said.